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A tug boat carrying 200 tonnes of diesel which was stricken off the coast of Torbay is now sitting off Portland. Salvage experts are assessing whether it's safe to bring the vessel into Portland harbour.

Six people were rescued and Brixham Coastguard says an environmental disaster has been averted. Work has been going on for the last two days to stop the tug from sinking, after it was hit by a ship it was towing.

Volunteer crews from Exmouth and Torbay lifeboat stations launched around 9.30pm last night to a damaged tug that was taking on water.

Six crew members were rescued from the Christos XXII Credit: RNLI

The 70 metre tug Christos XXII was damaged after it slowed to investigate a problem with the hull it was towing, the 80 metre Emstrom. On slowing down, the Emstrom, hit the Tug leaving a 35cm gash in its hull.

The 70 metre tug Christos XXII was left with a 35cm gash in its hull following the incident Credit: RNLI